Feel It All Around
Seogwipo, Republic of Korea
2023, Senior, Performing Arts
Climate Hero: Jaeyoun Kim, Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation
Beautiful Jeju Island, that’s where I’m from
The ocean embraces me even in sad times
I don’t know why but these days, it doesn’t seem right
The ocean is dying and it’s running out of time
Without the sea, there wouldn’t be us
The flaws of people caught in my net
Who is to blame, not only but us
It’s okay love, is it okay love?
Deep down we know, the world needs someone
Deep down we know, everything’s just a mess
Deep down I think, little by little we can get it done
I think we all should know
Even the crystal clear shades of blue
Fade away without you
Feel it all around
Feel it all around
Even the sea collapses on you
Fading into the blue
Feel it all around
Feel it all around
I see my friends they’re smiling, I’m not alone
Together our bonds are tight, we are all as one
The sea is not just mine but it’s for everyone
The ocean is dying but the rebirth has begun
The things we do, the actions we take
Will always lead to the same mistakes
Who is to blame, not only but us
I’m sorry love, I’m sorry love
Deep down we know, the world needs someone
Deep down we know, everything’s just a mess
Deep down I think, little by little we can get it done
I think we all should know
Even the crystal clear shades of blue
Fade away without you
Feel it all around
Feel it all around
Even the sea collapses on you
Fading into the blue
Feel it all around
Feel it all around
And if we take the action
Then we can stop this chain reaction
Even the crystal clear shades of blue
Fade away without you
Feel it all around
Feel it all around
Even the sea collapses on you
Fading into the blue
Feel it all around
Feel it all around
Reflection
We are best buddies playing music in our high school band. The island of Jeju is where we dwell, and it is here that we met our admirable hero whose life is ridden with paradox. Jaeyoun Kim is one of the diminishing numbers of "haenyeos" (occupational female divers of Jeju), whose culture is inscribed on the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Haenyeos are recognized for their rare eco-friendly ocean harvesting methods, and Jaeyoun is rarer in the sense that she has pioneered efforts to preserve the ocean and the haenyeo heritage as a 6th generation haenyeo. In previous years, she served as an honorary ambassador at the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation and informed the public of the state of the ocean and the need for preserving it. Our conversations with her went as deep as the depth of the sea. She spoke of her darkest days, how she wished to give up on life, and how the sea comforted and resuscitated her. Making a living as a haenyeo in the bosom of the ocean was to be her fate. She now faces the paradox of having to watch her fountain of life wither. She witnesses first-hand the changes in the marine ecosystem. Her deep dives throw plastic waste her way. She is alarmed and in pain like no other. Yet her true message is one of hope. Even to this day, she encourages people to feel the aching sea and to restore the sea of the past. Both her everyday life as an eco-friendly diver and her communication with the world through multiple channels are inspirational and heroic. Her sight is on the future rather than the past.